Session 53 - An Uncertain Betrothal

General Summary

The party ventured into the forest, their minds set on negotiating with the Forest Tsar to free their captive friends. To gain favor, they offered a valuable comb to a local forest spirit, seeking an audience with the Tsar. The Tsar appeared, demanding his dowry, which confused some of the party who were unaware of Nadia's and Dukh's secret meeting with him.
Marina and Nadia stepped forward, convincing the Tsar to release the prisoners in exchange for the firebird's golden crown, instead of the promised gems, as dowry. The Tsar was impressed, and demanded to know where and how they got it. He did agree to release the prisoners, but freed only Groump and Sergei the Builder, promising to free the others on the day of the wedding in three days' time.
Returning to Aleksandrovka, the group split up. Some headed to Lada's house, while others went to the convent. Ivan informed Sister Evdokia about the builders, explaining that the remaining prisoners might be freed in a few days.
At Lada's house, Agnessa found her nephew-turned-dog Emil in great distress, howling in pain. After inquiring about his condition, she concluded that Emil was still suffering from his injuries. Annoyed by the noise, the sentient rolling bread man (Kolobok) complained, and Agnessa blasted it apart in frustration.
Ivan returned to find Emil eating the scattered bread dough and asked what had happened. Agnessa, believing Emil's pain was due to his injuries, wanted to take him to the volkhv encampment immediately. However, it seems that Emil's suffering actually stemmed from heartbreak after learning about Nadia's plans to marry Ivan.
Despite the tension, Ivan decided to carry Emil, who bit him out of jealousy and frustration. Nevertheless, Ivan led the party towards Vlasovo, a place where he had been attacked by black animals on his previous stay. Along the way, they passed a mysterious abandoned well, and procured some water from it.
The party arrived mostly safe, and while Ivan, saying he planned to return to the village where his bride lived, set up camp in the woods, the rest of the party entered the town. They were warmly welcomed, and the chieftain's mother, Svetlana, even offered to help heal Emil's injuries. The people were also celebrating a Volkhvy holiday. During the celebration, Marina spoke privately with the chieftain - a man named Vsevolod. She enticed him to go for a walk with her to see if she could learn any information, though Vsevolod had other plans. She mostly just got him drunk and talked, and in the end, he drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Nadia went off with Vsevolod's nephews, Vova and Sasha, convincing them that Ivan had been cruel to her, insulting her a few days before he was supposedly getting married to her. Ivan had indeed insulted Nadia, as he did not want to enter Vlasovo or to marry her, especially considering the marriage arranged under the auspices of the Forest Tsar was particularly insulting to him.
While camping outside the town, Ivan was rudely awoken by the town men and Nadia. The men, bearing cudgels, confronted Ivan about his rudeness to Nadia. Ivan told them he did not want to fight, but as they continued to threaten him, he got up, ready to defend himself.

Missions/Quests Completed

• Release of Groump and Sergei the Builder negotiated
• Forest Tsar convinced to accept the firebird's crown as dowry

Report Date

23 Jun 2024